Friday, August 16, 2013

The Little American's Summer 2013

Well, It's been a busy, festive and memorable summer with our Little American . Unfortunately, it's already time to focus on Fall.   School starts in 3 weeks and we are already getting announcement calls from the school's principal reminding us the semester is just around the corner.  The good news is(as far as blogging) that Daniel will be starting the first grade which means a full day at school should give me some free time to blog.  In the meantime,  here are some(okay, several) photos highlighting his summer.  Also, included are 3 short videos.   I apologize in advance for the photos not being in proper order.
Bermuda July 2013
Le Parker Meridien Hotel Manhattan July 2013
Le Parker Meridien NYC

Dinner aboard the Norwegian Break Away July 2013

Relaxing with a movie before bed at the Ritz in NYC


Ritz Carlton Central Park

Breakfast in the Club Lounge Ritz Carlton NYC


Turning in after a long day sight seeing 

Central Park

Central Park

Leaving the musical Cinderella 

Times Square

Russian River


Strolling the deck aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Relaxing in the cabin aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Metropolitan Museum NYC

Le Parker Meridien NYC

Metropolitan Museum NYC



Posing at one of the beaches in Bermuda with his Broadway Cruise camp counselors Ryan(L) and Kevin

asleep with kitty(or maybe sheepy?) after a long day touring the big apple

A weekend at the Dacha 

American Museum of Natural History NYC

The Frick Museum NYC



A view of central park from the Le Parker Meridien


Metropolitan Museum NYC

American Museum of Natural History NYC


Dinner in Greenwich village NYC


A not so happy moment here...time out for running off without Daddy's knowledge/permission.





First day of soccer practice,August 7,2013

Kid's waterpark aboard the Norwegian Break Away



Ritz Carlton Central Park

Broadway Cruise Camp musical number rehearsal aboard the Norwegian Break Away


Broadway Cruise dress rehearsal aboard the Norwegian Break Away







Papa Dan and Daniel bonding on the balcony

The boys dressed for Bermuda shorts night aboard the Norwegian Break Away to Bermuda


Hanging out with cousin Elena from Dallas who was in town visiting Grammy and Grandpa. 

Bryant Park


Frick Museum

Frick Museum

Metropolitan Museum

One of the several water features in Central Park

Bermuda

Times Square

His favorite thing to do at hotels...order room service and dine in his underwear
A view of Lady Liberty from the balcony of our room aboard the Norwegian Break Away


Waiting for cab to see the musical Cinderella

Ritz Carlton Club Lounge

Ritz Carlton Club Lounge

Ritz Carlton 2013


Musical number from the play "Annie" performed on the Broadway Cruise aboard the Norwegian Break Away.


Daniel's first waterslide experience aboard the Norwegian Break Away.

Daniel's Shake House.

6 years of age birthday party on August 10th at Funderland Amusement Park.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Bookstores Around The World

I had to share a post sent to me by my local library of beautiful bookstores around the world. 2 of my favorites on the list of 16 are below.
Image via fotopedia
This beautiful store is the El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Image via portosweethome.com
This is the Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal.

To see all 16 stores click here: 16 Bookstores You Have To See Before You Die

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Out-of-the-Box Options for Bringing Outdoor Furniture Inside

Out-of-the-Box Options for Bringing Outdoor Furniture Inside
By: Chris Long
Image Source
One of the best ways to express your home décor individuality is to choose furniture that fits your personal taste and personal lifestyle. And just because something has most traditionally been associated with the great outdoors doesn't mean it's off limits for your inner walls!
Here are some out of the box ideas for putting your own personal touches on a few unique furniture selections.

Wicker Tables & Chairs
Without a doubt, the king of outdoor furniture is wicker! But that being said, there's no reason why wicker won't work well in your living room, sitting room, glassed-in or screened-in porch or sun room.


Image Source
Add some pillows in your favorite fabric and place a glass top on a wicker table and you now have a special seating area for any room in your house.

Wicker Glider
When you picture the perfect nursery, there's a good chance there's a rocking chair in there somewhere. So if you want a timeless staple of nurseries the world over with a twist, go with a wicker glider.
Rattan Table for Two
At the height of its modern popularity in the middle of the last century, rattan furniture was all the rage. This is due to increased demand for outdoor furniture and an appreciation of earlier styles of furniture and this sturdier type of wicker fit the bill.
Image Source
But up-fitting a rattan table and chair set with a fresh coat of paint and some comfy cushions means you no longer have to dine outside – now you and your special someone can share a café-style morning bite or an after-dinner dessert in your eat-in kitchen.

Adirondack Chairs
Originally designed to be the ultimate lawn chair, with their thick arms just perfect for resting a morning cup of coffee or sunset cocktail, Adirondack chairs have moved off the lawn and migrated indoors!
Image Source
By adding a comfy cushion on the seat, the back or both, you now have a comfortable place to rest yourself and your drink while you relax on the porch, in your sunroom or in front of the TV.
Adding a pop of color with a fresh coat of paint is a great way to upcycle a previously-enjoyed Adirondack chair. Pair fun chair colors with complementary coasters, candles, pillows or rugs.
DIY Tips for your Painted Adirondack Chairs
Now that you're ready to tackle your own indoor refurb project, here are some painting tips to keep in mind:
  • Make sure your chair is clean before you paint.
  • If you use a latex paint and primer-in-one product, you can rejuvenate an older chair and eliminate a coat at the same time. My preference for furniture is to always use both an oil based primer and semi-gloss or gloss oil based paint. These take a lot longer to dry, but the end result will be a much harder, smoother surface that never feels gummy and resists scuff marks.
  • For wood items like these, a foam roller is a better choice than a regular nap roller because the foam creates a smooth, even application and won't pick the paint back up.
  • Use both rollers and brushes simultaneously – rolling will cover the large surfaces and if you use the brush while the rolled paint is still wet, you can get in between the cracks and slats for complete coverage and a nice finish.
  • Always allow a coat of paint to fully dry before applying another coat and it's advisable to apply two thinner coats as opposed to one thick coat – the heavier, thicker consistency has a tendency to droop and sag or even drip!
  • On a smaller, linear project such as a chair, always paint in the same direction to maintain consistent lines – if you start painting up and down, don't switch to back and forth.
  • If you must put away your paint job overnight and pick it up again the next day, place the brush you are using in a plastic bag and pop it in the freezer – pull it out at least 15 minutes before you need it the next day and you're ready to go without having to wash it twice.
  • If you use an interior/exterior paint product, you can move your chairs outside on occasion – like for those summer nights perched around a fire pit or sitting on the porch for early morning coffee or an end of the evening nightcap!
What are some of your favorite pieces of furniture or types of materials that are traditionally associated with the outdoors that you have tweaked to fit in with your interior décor?
Chris Long is a Home Depot store associate in the Chicago area, where he has been helping customers since 2000. Chris is also a contributor to Home Depot's Home Decorators.com website. His home décor interests range from providing advice on furniture, including end tables, bookcases and coffee tables.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Guest Post: How to Create an Eye-Catching Accent Wall By Carolyn Heintz

Image Source

Accent walls are a great way to spice up your space. Through the use of paint, texture, wallpaper, or art, accent walls serve to create dimension and interest. If you’re afraid of color, it’s a great way to add just a touch without being overwhelming. It’s chic, it’s exciting, and it’s easy! Here are some different ways to create an eye-catching accent wall.


1. Pop of color
This is the traditional approach for an accent wall—using it as an opportunity to add a shock of color to the room. It’s a great for color-phobes who want to add personality to their space. The key is to pull the color from other elements in the room. For example, in the first image, the accent wall is the same color as the couch. Otherwise, it will be too jarring and create a lack of cohesiveness that will make the room seem disjointed.


2. Subtle and serene
The change in color does not have to be drastic. By choosing a color that is only a couple shades different or one that is in the same family, your accent wall imbues a sense of serenity into the space. In this case, the accent wall is subtle and works to create interest in a mellow room. This is especially great in bedrooms.

3. Change in texture
A feature wall isn’t just about color; you can create an awesome accent wall by bringing in new textures. This can be anything from adding a tiled wall, using Venetian plaster, utilizing different painting techniques, or other architectural differences. You can even use the same paint color, which can be a chic way to add dimension. Making use of different textures adds a richness and tactility that can really elevate your space.

4. A work of art
Instead of using paintings or other art pieces, why not add a design element directly to your wall? You can use paint to create an interesting pattern, or apply wallpaper or fabric to create the same effect. If you do choose a pattern, you want to keep the wall art to a minimum or else the space will look cluttered. It’s a good idea to keep the other walls neutral—you want the wall to be the main attraction!

5. A small addition
If an accent wall scares you, adding something as small and simple as polka dots or a framed picture collage can make your room more interesting. (Check out how chic the gold polka dots look in the office space.) These subtle differences are an excellent way to gently introduce the accent wall into your home.

Accent walls can go wrong if they are totally out-of-place in the room or if they are used too frequently throughout your home. You shouldn’t go out and add an accent wall to every room in your house, but choose the spaces that could use more dimensions. They are also great for highlighting an awesome piece of art or architectural element. Whether you are looking to add color or texture or just a little something, there is an accent wall for you!

Author Bio: Carolyn Heintz is a nutritionist, coffee lover, and wannabe interior designer. She runs a personal blog and her life philosophy consists of rewarding fitness, embracing the arts, preventive health, and (most importantly!) lots and lots of laughter.